Independent wheel suspension



Oct. 19, 1937. J. w. LEIGHTON 2,096,118

INDEPENDENT WHEEL SUSPENSION Original Filed Nov. 20, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet1 Inven to). John Wycliffe Lefq/pfan.

Oct. 19, 1937. J. w. LEIGHTON ,1

INDEPENDENT WHEEL SUSPENSION Original Filed Nov. 20, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet2 Patented on. 19, 193

UNITED .STATES PATENT OFFICE 698,846. Divided and this application March15, 1937, Serial No. 130,878

19 Claims.

The principal objects of this invention are to provide an improved formof mounting for independent wheel suspension which will not only ensurethe true alignment of the pivotal suspension arm bearings, but whichwill furthergreatly facilitate the assembly and mounting of such amechanism.

The principal feature of the invention resides in the novel constructionand arrangement of parts whereby the inner horizontally spaced ends ofthe suspension arm are oscillatably journalled on .a common unitarymountingbar which is adapted to be adjustably secured to the vehiclechassis. I

A further and important feature resides in the novel construction of theunitary mounting bar with or without threaded bearing ends and in itsspecial corelation to the rigidly spaced ends of the suspension arm tobe iournalled thereon whereby the bar may be readily inserted intojournalled bearing relation with the respective ends of said arm.

'A further feature of importance resides in the novel manner ofadjustably supporting the unitary arm-mounting bar. on the vehiclechassis whereby said bar, together with the suspension arm mountedthereon, may be rotatably adjusted over a limited angle about an axisdisposed transversely of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle chassisand may also be adjusted toward or away from said longitudinal axis tovary the relation of the outer end of said arm to said longitudinalvehicle axis.

. In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of a wheelsuspension assembly illustrating the present invention applied thereto.

Figure 2.is a part sectional front elevational view of the wheelsuspension assembly.

, Figure 3 is a part sectional plan view of the 1 lower forkedsuspension arm with its adjustable pivot bar support on the car frame.

Figure 4- is a side elevational view partly in section of the adjustablemounting means for the suspension arm and showing one of the'bearingthrough the rigidly spaced arm bosses showing the unitary supportingpivot bar being inserted 5 into position through one of the bosses.

5 Figure 'l is a perspective view showing the bosses of the arm insection, together "with the unitary supporting bar partly inserted andaligned with the axes of the respective arm bosses.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 6, but showing the short end of theunitary supporting bar threaded directly into its adjacent arm boss andshowing the opposite first-inserted end supported within the oppositearm boss by means of an inserted'bushing.

Figure 9 is an enlarged end elevational part sectional view of the shockabsorber associated with the upper arm and the adjustable mountingtherefor.

This application is a division of my co-pending application Serial No.698,846, filed November 20, 1933, and relates more particularly toimproved constructional and assembly features relative to the mountingof the inner end of the suspension arm.

Referring in detail to the illustrated showing 'of the invention, thelower forked or wishbone arm I of the suspension assembly, which is ofsubstantially rigid form and preferably comprises a unitary forging ormalleable casting, is here shown provided with internally threadedbosses 2 into which threaded bearing bushings 3 are adapted to bethreaded.

A unitary bar mounting member 4 is provided which may also comprise asingle forged length of bar stock. and the ends of this bar arepreferably threaded to engage in bearing contact with the inner threadedsurfaces of the bushings 3 so that the rigid forked arm l isoscillatably supported on the ends of the single bar 4.

The bar 4 is shown bossed at 5 midway of its length to receive amounting bolt 6 which is adapted to extend through a bracket 1 or othersuitable portion of the vehicle chassis 8 and apertured bosses 9 areprovided on the bar 4 adjacent to each end thereof, one being preferablyarranged farther from one end than is the other to provide a longer endportion 4' and so that the distance from its outward side to. theopposite end extremity of the bar is preferably slightly less than thedistance between the inner faces of the arm bosses 2. v It-is importantto note that the threaded oriflee in the arm boss '2, which receives thelonger free end portion d of thebar, is provided with an orificesuificiently large that when the bushing 3 thereof is removed the longerportion 4' of the bar may be easily entered into the said arm boss at anacute angle to the axis thereof and may be moved axially Within the saidboss a sufll cient distance topermit the opposite end extremity of thebar to clear the inner side of the opposite arm boss 2, whereuponentered thereinto, after which the respective bushings 3, which are ingthreaded type,

ing relation to the bar 4. On reference to Figures 6, 'Iand 8, it willbe noted thatthis feature of assembly maybe readily carried out withoutthe necessity of providing a second bushing, since it is only necessaryto provide a bushing in the arm boss which co-operates with the longerfree.

end portion of the bar 4, as illustrated particu-- larly in Figure 6, sothat 'once the bar is inserted and aligned with the orifices as shown inFigure 7, the bar may then be directly threaded or inserted. into theorifice of one arm longer free end portion of the bar may be retained inthe other boss by the bushing as indicated in It is of course desirableto maintain the end bosses 9 as close as is possible to the supportingbosses 2 of the arms when in assembled position and the portion 4' needonly be of sufllcient length to permit clearance of the opposite endextremity past the inner face of the adjacent arm boss before the boss 9adjacent the portion 4' contacts with the innerface of the opposite armboss 2 during insertion, as'indicated in Figure 6.

Mounting bolts through the apertured bosses 9 and through slots III inthe bracket I so that the bar 4 may be rotatably adjusted over a limitedangle about the axis of the,bolt 6 and then locked firmly iii place. Ashock absorber device II is shown mounted on the vehicle chassis abovethe arm I in an adjustable manner by means of the bracket I2 and thisshock absorber is shown provided with a'control arm I3 which extendsoutwardly in substantially parallel relation to the lower arm I and a'mating arm I3 extends outwardly from the shock absorber device and thesearms I3, and I3 converge toward their outer end as do also the forkedportions of the lower arm I and are erably by' 'pivotal joints connectedrespectively in a pivotal manner, prefadjustable threaded bearings suchas described in my prior applications 695,412, (now Patent 2,076,852) or746,152 (now Patent 2,077,- 844) or 711,506, to the top and bottom of anupright connecting bar I4 to which the king pin and wheel supportassembly I5 are adapted to be adjustably mounted in thesaid co -pendingapplication.

' It will be-noted that by rotatably adjusting the bar 4 in the mannerdefined the lower arm I may be accurately adjusted to prevent binding ofthe alignment thereof and, this adjustment may be harmonized with theadjustment of the shockabsorber device on the frame to accomplish slightvariations in the angularinclination of the con- .-'necting bar I4 andat the same-time ensure proper alignment of the pivot axes, therebyavoiding binding and strain on the parts and it is'to be furtherobserved that shims I6 are provided which are adapted to be insertedbetween the bracket I and the mounting bar 5, the functions of which areto compensate for any slight discrepancies or variations-in themanufacture of the parts which would: tend to introduce a slight errorin the desired accurate positioning of the outer end D of the arm I,orthe angular inclination of the bar I4 and it is to be noted that byinserting more or less. shims at this location, the actual eflectivelength of-the arm I may be varied relative to the preferably of theself-lockmay be threaded into place, thereby retainingthe arm I inassembled bear-1 4 encountered in assembly and boss, after which thespaced portions of the rigid arm I.

III are provided which extend in the manner set forth and to ensureproper assembled the combination with rigid unitary bar mounted on saidframe and:

. 2,696,118 the bar ma be brought; into axial alignment with the saidlatter boss and then longitudinal centre line of the vehicle chassis,vwhich in turn will effect a variation in the angulax-"inclination of theupright arm-connecting bar camber of I i4 providing slight adjustment ofthe king pin axis.

It will thus be seen struction is extremely accurate adjustmentto thatalthough the consimple it is capable of. suit varying conditions serviceand the single unitary bar 4 forms a very desirable rugged support for.the inner end of the arm I and it ce-operates with bothof the spacedlugsi thereof and it is impossible for the I bearing portions of the bar4 to become mis-aligned'sctting up structive binding forces as would bethe case where the opposite lugs or bosses I were mpported on individualpivot bolts as has been here- I tofore proposed and the special relationof the bar 4 to the arm bosses defined herein makes possible, the use ofa single unitary mounting bar for both be me in Many structuralvariations may carrying the present invention into effect withoutdeparting from the essential tion and I may in certain cases spirit ofthe invendispense with the actual threaded bearing connection betwe'e'nthe unitary bar 4.and one or both of the arm bosses 2 and may substitutetherefor plain bearing-surfaces, while retaining the advantages ofassembly and mounting defined in connection with the unitary barmounting, but the threaded bearing features in the particularenvironment claimed present distinct features of advantage due to theextensive bearing surfaces of the threads which ensure against axialplay and looseness in the fore and aft direction andmoreover the severethrusts set up due to braking on the front wheels. will be distributedover the extensive areas presented by the numerous shoulder'formationsof" the threaded- Journal connections,

thereby avoiding excessive local strainand wear as is experienced inpresent structures where only small bearing areas are available againstaxial thrusts.

What I claim-as my invention is:-

' 1. In an independent wheel suspension, the.

combination with the vehicle frame, of a rigid unitary bar mounted onsaid frame in offset relation to the longitudinal centre line thereofand having the ends forming bearings surfaces, and a wheel suspensionassembly extending from the frame including a forked arm having spacedends bar, at least one end of said bar and the arm end joumalled thereonbeing of threaded formation and engaging in threaded bearing contact.

2. In an independent vehicle wheel suspension, the vehicle frame, of ahaving the opposite ends threaded, and a wheel suspension assemblyflexibly connected with the v frame including arms having threadedbearing I journalled respectively on the free ends of said engagementwith the respective threaded ends of 3. In an independent vehicle wheela frame Joint for the lower control arm thereof, comprising a baradapted to be rigidly secured to the vehicle frame,-said bar having endsformed joint for the lower control arm thereof, comprising a bar adaptedto be rigidly secured to the vehicle frame having ends formedwithbearing surfaces and having fixed mounting bosses spaced from saidbearing. ends, said arm having bearing ends spaced apart a distancegreater than the distance from one end of said bar to the outer side ofthe boss farthest therefrom so that one bearing end of the arm may slipover one end of the bar and permit the other bearing end of the arm toembrace the opposite end of the bar.

5. In an independent vehicle wheel suspension, a hinged joint for thelower forked arin thereof, comprising a bar rigidly secured to thevehicle frame having ends formed with bearing surfaces, an arm havingspaced-apart ends, one of said ends adapted to receive and pass one ofthe bearing portions of said bar, a bushing having an internal bearingsurface to engage the said received bearing surface of the end of saidbar and having an external surface to fit into said arm end, and meansfor securing said arm end on said bushing, the other of said arm endshaving an internal bearing surface to engage the bearing surface of theother end of said bar.

6. In an independent wheel suspension the combination with the vehicleframe and a wheel suspension assembly extending from the frame includingpaired arms presenting spaced inward extremities for pivotal connectionwith the frame, of a unitary mounting for both of said paired armscomprising a'si'ngle rigid bar to be pivotally associated with both ofsaid arms and apertured at spaced points in its length for the receptionof fastening bolts, and. fastening bolts extending through saidapertures and securing said bar rigidly to the frame.

7. Means as claimed in claim 6 in which a member of the frame is slottedto adjustably receive said fastening bolts and provide for adjustment ofsaid bar relative to the frame.

8. An independent vehicle wheel suspension, comprising the combinationwith the vehicle frame, of a member pivotally adjustable on said frameand having threaded bearing extremities, means for locking said pivotalmember in adjusted positions, a bifurcated arm having its inner endsencircling the threaded ends of the pivotal member and supported thereonby a threaded bearing surface, a king pin support hinged freely to theouter end of said bifurcated arm, means flexibly supporting the otherend of said hingedking pin' support, a wheel axle mounted on said kingpin, and spring means interposed between the vehicle frame and saidbifurcated arm.

9. An independent vehicle wheel suspension, comprising the combinationwith the vehicle frame, of a bar secured to said frame and arranged inacute angular relation to.the centre line of the frame and havingthreaded bearing ends, threaded bushings mounted on said threadedbearing ends, a bifurcate arm housing said threaded bushings andsupported'thereby from said bar and extending outwardly beyond thevehicle frame, a member freely hinged to the outer end of saidbifurcated arm' and extending upwardly therefrom, means freely hinged tothe upper end of said latter member and connected with the frame, acompression spring interposed between said bifurcated arm and the frame,a king pin supported from the member hinged to said bifurcated arm, anda wheel axle mounted on said king D v 10. An independent vehicle wheelsuspension comprising the combination with a vehicle frame, of a bearingmember adjustably mounted on said frame, an arm member hinged to saidbearing member and adjustable'in unison with said bearing member, a.king pin support hinged freely to the outer end of said arm member,means flexibly and adjustably supporting the other end of said king pinsupport, a king pin mounted on said sup- 11. An independent vehiclewheel suspension,

comprising a vehicle frame, a bar adjustably mounted on the frame andextending substantially in a fore and aft direction thereof, an armpivotally mounted on said bar and extending outwardly beyond the frame,a compression spring between said arm and said frame, a member hinged tothe outer end of said arm and extending upwardly, a shock absorberdevice mounted on said frame, an arm extending from said shock absorberdevice and hinged to the upper end of the member hinged to the aforesaidarm, a king pin assembly mounted on said upwardly extending member, anda wheel axle carried by said king pin.

12. Means as claimed in claim 11 in which said shock absorber device isadjustably mounted on the frame whereby it is adjustable to compensatefor adjustments made in the position of the adjustably mounted bar, toavoid strain or binding in the hinge joints.

13. An independent vehicle wheel suspension comprising a bar disposedsubstantially in the fore and aft direction of the vehicle frame andmounted on the frame for pivotal adjustment in a substantially verticalplane, "a bifurcated arm pivotally mounted on the ends of said bar, anupright member having the lower end hinged to the outer end of saidbifurcated arm, said hinged connection having threaded bearing surfaces,a threaded bolt secured in the upper end of said upright member, armshaving threaded bearing surfaces engaging in threaded bearing contactwith the ends of said threaded bolt and extending inwardly toward theframe, a shock absorbing device connected with said arms and mounted onthe frame, a compression spring introduced between the frame and saidbifurcated arm, a king pin mounted on said upright member, and a wheelaxle mounted on said king pin.

14. In an independent wheel suspension wherein a wheel suspensionassembly extends from the .frame including a unitary forked arm' havingsubstantially rigid arm extremities, a unitary mounting for said armextremities comprising a length of bar having boss portions spaced fromthe ends and bearing extremities on which the respective arms of thefork are adapted to be journalled, one of said bearing extremities beingof sufliciently greater length than the other to permit it to beinserted in its respective arm from the inward side a distance to permitthe entry of the other bearing end of the bar into the other 'arm of thefork, said boss portions of the bar being apertured for the reception offastening bolts.

15. Means as claimed in claim 14 in which at least one end of said baris threaded for threaded bearing engagement with the arm, the firstmentioned arm-of the rigid fork having an enlarged orifice for theinitial easy en-try of the longer bearing end of said bar and having abushing secured therein and presenting intimate bearing contact with thesaid longer end of the bar.

shims are inserted between the said mounting bar and the frame memberfor the purpose of adjustably positioning theouter end of the said armand/or varying the effective length thereof relative to the longitudinalcentre line of the vehicle chassis and whereby variations in the angularposition of said king pin support may be effected and/or the camberaltered.

1'7. A unitary mounting for the inner spaced ends of the forked arm ofayehicle wheel suspension, comprising a unitary length of bar to besecured to the vehicle frame having threaded bearing surfaces at theopposite ends to oscillatably support the said spaced ends of the forkedarm in threaded bearing engagement.

18. As an article of manufacture, an integral 'forged mounting bar forindependent wheel susleaving free bearing end portions therebeyond;

said bosses being apertured, the aperture of said central boss beingadapted to receive a mounting bolt about which the bar is adapted to beadjustably rocked and the apertures of the end bosses being for thereception of clamping bolts to lock the bar in adjusted positions.

19. A bar for mounting a forked vehicle suspension arm having threadedbearing surfaces at the ends and laterally projecting mounting meansadjacent the ends for securing said bar to the JOHN WYCLIFFE LEIGHTON.

